Chase
United Explorer Card
Estimated value every year on typical spending
$276/ year
Every year, after the annual fee. Year one adds a $660 welcome bonus: $936
Based on a typical ~$2,600/month of spending. Points valued conservatively; confirm terms with the issuer.
Credits & perks, at estimated real use: Free Checked Bag (not counted) · Global Entry/TSA Precheck Credit $30 · Annual Partner Credits (not counted)
Carry a balance? At 20%+ APR, interest usually costs more than any card earns.
Is it worth it?
On typical spending the Chase United Explorer Card returns about $426 a year in rewards and usable credits, which covers its $150 fee with $276 to spare. The welcome bonus adds roughly $660 in the first year.
The fine print
- Intro APR
- Not applicable
- Regular APR
- 19.99% to 28.49% variable
- Foreign fee
- None
- Top perk
- Free first checked bag
- Approval
- Good credit recommended
- Redeem for
- Airline/hotel bookings · Loyalty program transfers · Gift cards
Rewards
- 9x total miles on eligible United flights
- 3x miles on all other eligible United purchases
Sign-up bonus
60,000 bonus miles after qualifying activities.
Best for
- Travelers who redeem points
Not ideal for
- People who want plain cash back
Trade-offs: Higher annual fee ↔ richer rewards & perks; Better travel value ↔ less straightforward than cash back; Large welcome bonus ↔ higher spend requirement.
Worth knowing
- Annual fee
- $150
- Intro APR
- Not applicable
- Regular APR
- 19.99% to 28.49% variable
- Balance transfer fee
- None
- $400/mo on dining earns about $106/year (2.2x).
- $1200/mo on everyday spending earns about $158/year (1.1x).
- The $150 fee pays for itself at about $1040/mo on dining.
- You come out ahead of a no-fee 1% card after about $12500/year of dining spending.
Offer history
No changes to the fee, welcome offer or intro APR since we started checking this card daily on Oct 26, 2026.
United Explorer Card: questions people ask
Is the Chase United Explorer Card worth it?
On typical spending the Chase United Explorer Card returns about $426 a year in rewards and usable credits, which covers its $150 fee with $276 to spare. The welcome bonus adds roughly $660 in the first year.
What is the Chase United Explorer Card annual fee?
The Chase United Explorer Card has a $150 annual fee. On typical spending its rewards and usable credits come to about $426 a year, so it nets about $276 after the fee.
What is the Chase United Explorer Card welcome bonus?
Earn up to 60,000 bonus miles after qualifying activities. We value it at about $660. We check the issuer's page daily; it hasn't changed since we started tracking on Oct 26, 2026.
What does the Chase United Explorer Card earn?
9x total miles on eligible United flights. 3x miles on all other eligible United purchases.
What credit score do you need for the Chase United Explorer Card?
The issuer recommends good/excellent credit. Checking your matches on CardFit never runs a credit check.
Does the Chase United Explorer Card charge foreign transaction fees?
No. The Chase United Explorer Card has no foreign transaction fee.
Compare United Explorer Card
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Card details are collected from issuer websites and were last refreshed October 29, 2026. Source: Chase product page. Terms change often; confirm them with the issuer before you apply.